Re: AMSAT NA

The key is getting space on a launch vehicle, not completing some hardware
that is a tiny fraction of the cost. It's interesting that people are
complaining about an internal AMSAT-NA personnel issue, but aren't concerned
that AMSAT-DL announced that they can't pay for the P3E launch.
I've managed several engineering groups in the computer industry and have
had people call me up while I was eating Thankgiving dinner and resign. On
Monday everything was resolved.
73,
John
KD6OZH
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Westbrook" <k7zt@suddenlink.net>
To: "John B. Stephensen" <kd6ozh@comcast.net>; "Michael Tondee"
<mat_62@netcommander.com>; "Jim Danehy" <jdanehy@cinci.rr.com>;
<amsat-bb@amsat.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 03:19 UTC
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT NA
>I fully expect to receive incoming slings and arrows for my input, and I do
>understand for those who get their egos fed by leading/participating in the
>design process for AMSAT-NA won't like this idea, but hey who is AMSAT here
>to serve anyway?
>
> Generally, the following conditions seem to exist at this time (please
> feel free to correct me if any of my observations are inaccurate):
>
> 1. We don't seem to be within a stones throw of getting Eagle off the
> ground
> 2. Engineering resources in disarray
> 3. No Lab
> 4. Most folks who participate really want to see a HEO up as soon as
> humanly possible
> 5. The cost to put an HEO into orbit seems to be prohibitive for any
> single organization to pull off without deep pocket sponsorship
> 6. AMSAT-DL Has an HEO that is nearing completion
>
> Given the extent that these circumstances are close to reality, why on
> earth wouldn't we consider transferring the sum total of Eagle resources
> (with membership approval of course) to AMSAT-DL, for the purpose of
> completing PE3?
>
> Next step would be to determine the exact the cost and a launch
> opportunity. Let the Ham Satellite Community know what those cost are and
> then raise the additional funds toward that single goal.
>
> Following the final launch and commissioning of PE3, then move on to
> getting Eagle back on track.
>
> I definitely could get behind that sort of concrete effort. What we have
> now seems to be a bit of a distant dream.
>
> Regards,
> - Joe, K7ZT
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John B. Stephensen" <kd6ozh@comcast.net>
> To: "Michael Tondee" <mat_62@netcommander.com>; "Jim Danehy"
> <jdanehy@cinci.rr.com>; <amsat-bb@amsat.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 8:29 PM
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT NA
>
>
>> What most HEO users never fully realized (including me) was that they
>> were
>> the recipients of charity. Now that launches are commercial operations,
>> the
>> AMSATs have to pay the same as everyone else and HEOs are vastly more
>> expensive than LEOs. The energy requirements are much larger and you
>> can't
>> just use a surplus SS-18 as a launch vehicle.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> John
>> KD6OZH
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Michael Tondee" <mat_62@netcommander.com>
>> To: "Jim Danehy" <jdanehy@cinci.rr.com>; <amsat-bb@amsat.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 22:34 UTC
>> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT NA
>>
>>
>>> It's been going on since I got here a couple of years ago Jim. For sure,
>>> everyone is anxious to see an HEO launched but some people feel the need
>>> to
>>> get online and constantly whine about why we don't have one. I think
>>> there
>>> are a few folks on here that need to get a dictionary and look up the
>>> word
>>> "volunteer".
>>> People better start to realize that there are no guarantees. I would say
>>> that at the current rate of apparent progress that the AMSAT NA mission
>>> statement looks all wet. Prospects don't seem to be much better on P3E
>>> either. What good will it do to have a fully built satellite without the
>>> funds to launch it?
>>> I just try to enjoy what we've got up there and hope for the best in the
>>> future. In the end that's all we can really do isn't it? All the whining
>>> in
>>> the world and the backhanded comments about AO-51 and the other FM sats
>>> aren't going to get the HEO birds up there any faster.
>>> 73,
>>> Michael W4HIJ
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Jim Danehy" <jdanehy@cinci.rr.com>
>>> To: <amsat-bb@amsat.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 4:27 PM
>>> Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT NA
>>>
>>>
>>>>I have been off the satellites for 25 years. I just spent a bunch of
>>>>money
>>>>for antennas and rotors to get back on. After listening to all of the
>>>>belly
>>>>aching I wonder if I should join AMSAT (again). Maybe I should try EME .
>>>>.
>>>>. . the moon will be there long after I am gone. I have listened on AO
>>>>7
>>>>and VO 52 to test my 2 mtr yagis. I should be QRV soon. Belly aching
>>>>just
>>>>looks bad even if it is warranted. I am not sure if it accomplishes much
>>>>other than venting for the vanquished. Human nature ugh. Lighten up
>>>>folks.
>>>>
>>>> Jim W9VNE
>>>> Cincinnati, Ohio em79
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
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>>
>
_______________________________________________
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